Monarda punctata
Spotted beebalm, or horsemint, has the coolest foliage of all the Monarda. Narrow purple-tinted leaves branch out from the purple stems, and the flowers that do blossom are a cream-purple color with spots.
The scent is slightly different from other Monarda in that it is reminiscent of oregano. M. punctata grows slightly shorter than it’s cousins, between 1-2 feet tall.
These plants grow well in sandy soils, and are considered to be short-lived perennials. This means you should expect to see these go dormant for a year or so, and if allowed to reseed, will reappear. The garden is ever-changing!
source: grown from seed from Maine. Wild Seed Project, southern Maine.
second source: grown from seed originally from Minnesota. Prairie Moon Nursery.
If you have a preference for provenance please e-mail us.
Monarda punctata (Spotted bee balm)
details
SIZE AND POT INFORMATION: More details coming in May
type: short-lived perennial (but self sows readily) sun needs: full sun, part sun/part shade water needs: dry, average height: 2' plant spacing: 1 per square foot bloom time: July, August, September bloom color: purple, pink good plant companions
Asters, butterflyweed, black-eyed Susan, foxglove beardtongue, little bluestem
special notes
deer resistant (please note that does not mean deer proof)
salt tolerant. Some salt exposure should not be fatal to the plant but some leaf burning may still occur.